FR3081389A1 - CONTROL DEVICE FOR VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A CONTROL DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Control device (1) for a vehicle, comprising: - a window (10) having an inner surface (16) and an outer surface (14), the window (10) comprising a main zone (11) and a marginal zone (12 ), the main zone (11) being transparent and the marginal zone (12) being opaque, the outer surface (14) comprising a contact surface (14a) extending into the main zone (11), - a device for display (50) arranged opposite the main area (11) of the window (10), - a detection device (40) arranged opposite the inner surface (16) of the window (10), - a detection device vibration (20) attached directly to the inner surface (16) of the window, and - a support (30) carrying the window (10).

Description

Control device for vehicle and method for making a control device

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a control device, in particular for a vehicle, and to a method for producing a control device. The invention relates more particularly to a control device of the type comprising a vibration device and an assembly, generally designated a touch screen, comprising a display device and a detection device.

Context of the invention

The vibration device is intended to provide in return to the user a haptic sensation helping the user in his use of the control device, in particular in the case of use in a vehicle where the user must concentrate his visual attention. on the road. In addition, the control device includes a protective glass.

The invention aims to provide a compact control device and improve the feeling provided to the user.

It is known, in particular from document US2012 / 0162163A1, a control device comprising:

a window having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the window comprises a main zone and a marginal zone, the main zone being transparent and the marginal zone being opaque, the external surface comprising a contact surface extending in the main zone ,

- a display device arranged opposite the main area of the window,

a detection device capable of detecting an element, in particular a user's finger, in a control position at the level of the contact surface, the detection device being arranged facing the interior surface of the glass,

a vibration device capable of generating a vibration, and

- a support carrying the glass.

As the main area is transparent, it should be understood that the main area allows at least 75% of the light to pass through, so that the main area allows the display device to be seen possibly with slight attenuation. It should be understood by opaque marginal zone the fact that the marginal zone lets in less than 25% of the light, possibly in a diffuse manner, so that the objects behind the marginal zone do not appear at all or at least weakly, and possibly blurred.

Statement of the invention

Although such a device is satisfactory in terms of compactness and feeling provided to the user, in order to further improve the vibration device, according to the invention, the vibration device is fixed directly to the interior surface of the window.

Thus, the vibration device being adjacent to the detection device, the thickness of the vibration device does not add to that of the detection device, so that the compactness of the control device is increased. In addition, the vibration produced by the vibration device is better felt by the user.

According to another characteristic according to the invention, preferably the window comprises a transparent layer extending in the main zone and in the marginal zone, and an opaque decoration forming the interior surface in the marginal zone, the vibration device is fixed on the opaque decor.

Thus, the detection device is effectively concealed, without reducing the qualities of the detection device.

According to another characteristic according to the invention, the detection device is advantageously disposed between the glass and the display device, and preferably the detection device is fixed directly to the glass.

Thus, detection is improved.

According to an additional characteristic, the display device is advantageously fixed to the detection device and forms a touch screen, and preferably the thickness of the vibration device is less than the thickness of the touch screen.

Thus, the vibration device does not generate an increase in the thickness of the control device.

According to another characteristic according to the invention, preferably the vibration device comprises a piezoelectric element having an upper face in contact with the glass and a lower face in contact with the support.

Thus, a vibration by displacement of the glass in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface is generated.

According to yet another characteristic according to the invention, the marginal zone extends on four sides arranged around the main zone and the vibration device comprises at least one vibration element fixed to the marginal zone of the window, directly on the inner surface of the glass, for each of the four sides.

Thus, the user effectively feels the vibration generated by the vibration device over the entire contact surface.

According to another characteristic according to the invention, the support has an upper surface, the upper surface has a main recess in which the display device and the detection device are arranged, and at least one marginal recess in which the vibration device.

Thus, the compactness of the detection device and the rigidity of the support are improved, the rigidity of the support having a favorable effect on the transmission of vibrations to the contact surface.

According to yet another characteristic in accordance with the invention, the support is preferably made of aluminum.

Thus, the support is rigid without having a high mass.

According to another aspect, the invention aims to propose a method for producing a control device comprising:

a) the production of a window having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the exterior surface comprising a contact surface, the window comprises a main area and a marginal area, the main area being transparent and the marginal area being opaque,

b) the attachment of a vibration device directly to the interior surface of the glass,

c) the provision of a detection device facing the interior surface of the glass, capable of detecting an element, in particular a user's finger, in a control position at the level of the contact surface,

d) the provision of a display device facing the main window area, and

e) the assembly of a support and the glass.

According to another characteristic according to the invention, the method preferably comprises an operation for fixing the detection device and the display device together, then an operation for fixing the detection device to the window.

Thus, the assembly of the control device is facilitated and of good quality.

According to another characteristic according to the invention, the vibration device preferably comprises piezoelectric elements and the operation e) comprises the fixing of the glass to the support by means of the piezoelectric elements.

According to yet another characteristic in accordance with the invention, operation a) preferably comprises the production of a transparent layer extending in the main zone and in the marginal zone, the printing in the marginal zone of a decoration. opaque forming the interior surface, and during operation b) the vibration device is fixed to the opaque decoration.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following detailed description, referring to the appended drawings in which:

- FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle interior trim element equipped with a control device according to the invention,

- FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the control device,

- FIG. 3 illustrates a first step in producing the control device according to the first embodiment,

- FIG. 4 illustrates a first step in producing the control device according to the first embodiment,

- FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the control device.

Detailed description of the invention

FIG. 1 illustrates a control device 1 arranged in a vehicle interior and integrated into an interior trim element. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior trim element is a dashboard 100, more precisely a central console 8 of dashboard 100.

As illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control device 1 essentially comprises a window 10, a display device 50, a detection device 40, a vibration device 20 and a support 30.

The window 10 has an inner surface 16 and an outer surface 14. The window 10 comprises a transparent layer 17 and an opaque decoration 18. The transparent layer 17 has a substantially constant thickness and is substantially planar. The transparent layer 17 is made of glass, polycarbonate, poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) or the like.

The opaque decoration 18 forms part of the interior surface 16 of the glass. The opaque decoration 18 is formed by a thin film extending in a marginal zone 12, over the entire periphery of the window 10 in the illustrated embodiment. The marginal zone 12 surrounds a main zone 11 not covered with the opaque decoration 18.

In the illustrated embodiment, the window 10 is substantially rectangular and the marginal part 12 has four sides 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d rectilinear and of similar width, as illustrated in particular in FIG. 1.

The external surface 14 comprises a contact surface 14a corresponding substantially to the part of the external surface 14 which is in the main zone 11.

The display device 50 is arranged opposite the main zone 11 of the window 10. It is of the LCD or similar type.

The detection device 40 is disposed between the display device 50 and the window 10. The detection device 40 is fixed to the interior surface 16 of the window 10 and to the display device 50. The detection device 40 forms with the display device 50 a touch screen 60. The detection device 40 extends opposite the whole of the main part 11 of the window 10. The detection device 40 is able to detect the presence of a finger 4 of a user, of a stylus or more generally of an object, in contact or at least in the immediate vicinity of the contact surface 14a. The detection device 40 aims in particular to detect opposite which part of the display device 50 visible to the user and therefore which part of the display device 50 extending opposite the main part 11 of the window 10 the finger 4 is arranged. The detection device 40 is preferably of the capacitive type. Alternatively, the detection device 40 could be of the resistive type or any other suitable means. The detection device 40 is preferably bonded to the interior surface 16 of the window 10.

The vibration device 20 is capable of generating a vibration in the window 10, so that it is perceived by the user's finger 4. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the vibration device 20 comprises piezoelectric elements 22 having an upper face 22a and a lower face 22b. The piezoelectric elements 22 are opposite the marginal zone 12 of the window 10, hidden behind the opaque decoration 18 so as not to be visible to the user. The piezoelectric elements 22 are distributed relatively uniformly opposite each of the sides 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the marginal zone 12.

The piezoelectric elements 22 are of disc type and have an upper face 22a and a lower face 22b. The upper face 22a of the piezoelectric elements 22 is fixed to the interior surface 16 of the window 10, more precisely the piezoelectric elements 22 are bonded to the opaque decoration 18.

The support 30 is rigid. The support 30 has an upper face 32 and a lower face 33. The support 30 has a main recess 34 and a marginal recess 36 in the upper face 32. The touch screen is arranged in the main recess 34. The piezoelectric elements 22 are disposed in the marginal recess 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the marginal recess 36 forms a continuous groove extending opposite each of the sides 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the marginal zone 12. As a variant, the support 30 could include a plurality of separate marginal recesses 36, each marginal recess 36 receiving a piezoelectric element 22.

The lower face 22b of the piezoelectric elements 22 is in contact with the support 30, more precisely with the bottom of the marginal recess 36. Thus, the piezoelectric elements 22 make it possible to create vibrations in the pane 10 perpendicular to the plane of the pane 10.

The touch screen 60 is not in contact with the support 30. In particular, a slight space separates the display device 50 from the support 30. The window 10 is held by the support 30 by means of rubber studs, silicone, elastomer or the like. In addition or as a variant, the window 10 could be held on the support by an adhesive having the properties of flexibility of the studs. Thus, the window 10, with the touch screen 60 fixed to the window 10, can vibrate without having direct contact with the support 30 or be firmly held on the support 30.

Perpendicular to the plane of the window 10, the piezoelectric elements 22 have a thickness e and the touch screen 60 has a thickness E. The thickness e of the piezoelectric elements 22 is less than the thickness E of the touch screen 60 In the embodiment shown, the main recess 34 is deeper than the marginal recess 16.

The support 30 is preferably made of aluminum and advantageously by molding.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the transparent layer 17 is cut to the desired size and covered by the opaque decoration 18 in the marginal zone 12 to form the window 10. The opaque decoration 18 can in particular be formed by a paint printed on the transparent layer 17 or alternatively by a film bonded to the transparent layer 17.

The piezoelectric elements are then bonded to the interior surface 16 of the window 10, more precisely to the opaque decoration 18.

On the other hand, the detection device 40 is stuck on the display device 50 to form the touch screen 60. Then, the touch screen 60 is stuck on the interior surface 16 of the window 10, the touch screen 60 and the piezoelectric elements 22 then being adjacent.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the window 10 is fixed to the support 30 by means of the studs 38.

The second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 differs essentially from the first embodiment in that the piezoelectric elements 22 of disc type are replaced by piezoelectric elements 24 of bar type. The piezoelectric elements 24 are preferably four in number extending along each of the sides 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the marginal zone 12. The piezoelectric elements 24 generate vibratory waves along the plane of the window 10. The piezoelectric elements 24 are not in contact with the support 30. In particular, there is a space between the piezoelectric elements 24 and the bottom of the marginal recess 36. In the second embodiment, the main recess 34 has the same depth as the marginal recess 36 .

Of course, the various characteristics, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention can be associated with one another in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive of each other.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided only by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants which a person skilled in the art may envisage within the framework of the present invention and in particular any combination of the different operating modes described above, which can be taken separately or in combination.

Claims (14)

1. Control device (1) for a vehicle, comprising: - a window (10) having an interior surface (16) and an exterior surface (14), the window (10) has a main area (11) and a marginal area (12), the main area (11) being transparent and the marginal zone (12) being opaque, the external surface (14) comprising a contact surface (14a) extending in the main zone (11), - a display device (50) arranged opposite the main area (11) of the window (10), - a detection device (40) capable of detecting an element (4), in particular a user's finger, in a control position at the level of the contact surface (14a), the detection device (40) being disposed opposite the inner surface (16) of the window (10), - a vibration device (20) capable of generating a vibration, and - A support (30) carrying the window (10), said device is characterized in that the vibration device (20) is fixed directly to the interior surface (16) of the window. 2. Control device according to claim 1, in which the window (10) comprises: - a transparent layer (17) extending in the main zone (11) and in the marginal zone (12), and - an opaque decoration (18) forming the interior surface (16) in the marginal zone (12), the vibration device (20) is fixed on the opaque decoration (18). 3. Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the detection device (40) is arranged between the glass (10) and the display device (50). 4. Control device according to claim 3 wherein the detection device (40) is fixed directly to the window (10). 5. Control device according to any one of claims 3 or 4 in which the display device (50) is fixed directly to the detection device (40) and forms a touch screen (60). 6. Device according to the preceding claim wherein the thickness (e) of the vibration device (20) is less than the thickness (E) of the touch screen (60). 7. Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the vibration device (20) comprises a piezoelectric element (22) having an upper face (22a) in contact with the window (10) and a lower face (24 ) in contact with the support (30). 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the marginal zone (12) extends over four sides (12a, 12, 12c, 12d) arranged around the main zone (11) and the vibration device (20 ) comprises at least one vibration element (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) fixed to the marginal zone (12) of the window (10), directly on the interior surface (16) of the window (10), for each of the four sides (12a, 12, 12c, 12d). 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support (30) has an upper surface (32), the upper surface has: - a main recess (34) in which the display device (50) and the detection device (40) are arranged, and - At least one marginal recess (36), in which the vibration device (20) is arranged. 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support (30) is made of aluminum. 11. Method for producing a control device comprising the following operations: a) the production of a window (10) having an interior surface (16) and an exterior surface (14), the exterior surface (14) comprising a contact surface (14a), the window (10) comprises a main area (11) and a marginal zone (12), the main zone (11) being transparent and the marginal zone (12) being opaque, b) the attachment of a vibration device (20) directly to the interior surface (16) of the window (10), c) the arrangement of a detection device (40) facing the interior surface (16) of the window (10), capable of detecting an element (4), in particular a user's finger, in a position control at the contact surface (14a), and d) the arrangement of a display device (50) facing the main area (11) of the window (10), e) assembling a support (30) and the glass (10). 12. Method according to the preceding claim comprising an operation of fixing together the detection device (40) and the display device (50), then an operation of fixing the detection device (40) to the window (10). 13. Method according to any one of claims 11 and 12 wherein the vibration device (20) comprises piezoelectric elements (22) and the operation e) comprises the fixing of the glass (10) to the support (30) by through the piezoelectric elements (22). 14. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13 in which: - operation a) includes: • the production of a transparent layer (17) extending in the main zone (11) and in the marginal zone (12), • the printing, in the marginal zone (12), of an opaque decoration (18 ) forming the inner surface (16), - during the operation b) the vibration device is fixed to the opaque decoration (18).